Classification and Biodiversity

• What is Classification/Taxonomy

  Process of arranging organism, both living and extinct into groups based on similar characteristics
• What are the 5 groups living organisms can be classified to?

  • Plants (flowering and non-flowering)
  • Animals vertebrates (backbone) and invertebrates (no backbone)
  • Fungi
  • Protoctists (single called organisms)
  • Bacteria
• Why is classification of organism important?

  • Easier to identify organisms
  • Aids confusion between scientists
• Why are organism given scientific names?

  Facilitate universal communication
• Scientists name is given in 2 words

  • First name (genus) begins with a capital letter
  • Second name (species) begins with a lowercase letter
• The order we classify organism

  1. Kingdom
  2. Phylum
  3. Class
  4. Order
  5. Family
  6. Genus
  7. Species
• What is a species?

  Animals that have similar characteristics that can share and reproduce fertile offspring
• What is the Scientific name for humans

  Homo Sapiens
• What is Habitat?

  The natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organisms
• What is Competition?

  The struggle for resources between individuals of the same or different species
• What is Interdependence?

  One species depending on other for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc
• What is Community?

  A group of organism of different species occupying a particular area, interacting with each other and the environment
• What is a Ecosystem?

  The living things in a given area and their non-living environment
• What is a Population?

  Group of the same species living in an area
• What is interspecific competition?

  Occurs between individuals of different species
• What is a intraspecific competition?

  Occurs between the same species
• What do animals compete for?

  • Food
  • Water
  • Shelter
  • Mate
  • Teritory
• Competition

  Resources are limited, creating competition between organism
• Competition

  Competition occurs between members of the same species (e.g for the same food) and also between members of different species (e.g for space). Competition (as we as preditation, disease and pollution) limit’s population size within a community
• What do plants compete for?

  • Nutrients
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Space
  • Pollinators
  • Reproduce
• What is Biodiversity?

  Is the total number of variety of species in a given area
• Why is biodiversity important?

  • Safeguard future food supplies by maintaining food chains important to humans
  • Many plants species are yet to be discovered and may contain chemicals that could be used in future medicines
  • Reduce damage to food chains
  • Creates stable ecosystem that are more likely to be able to adapt to future environmental change
• Biodiversity can be maintained

  • Conservation scheme to protect entire ecosystem
  • Minimising global greenhouse gas production
  • Protection of endangered species
• Why is it important to maintain Biodiversity

  Passing legislation to protect habitat requires balancing human needs with conservation efforts. Balancing resource utilization and biodiversity preservation is crucial for safeguarding ecosystems and endangered species while maintaining human well-being
• What is Biological Control?

  The control of the pest species (plant or organism) through the use of another living organism. The reduction of the pest population using natural enemies
• Why is biological control be a problem?

  There is no predator above them
• Why do scientists need to measure biodiversity?

  It helps to prevent animals and species go extinct and put prevention into place
• Methods of measuring

  • sampling
  • transect
  • quadrants
• What is Sampling?


  Biodiversity can be estimated by sampling area of ecosystem.
• When choosing a sample area ensure:

  • A sufficient size- the larger the sample size the more representative of the area and the greater it’s validity
  • Avoid bias when choosing sample areas
  • Sampling method has no effects on the result
• Quadrants 


  A square frame divided into smaller square sections and can be used to investigate the biodiversity of an area
• A quadrat can be used as follows:

  1. Position two 20m tape measure at right angle along the borders
  2. Use random number generator to randomly select two numbers which serve as the x and y coordinate with a tape measure as the axis
  3. At each location placed at the lower left hand corner of the quadrants at the coordinate point
  4. Identify and record the number of each species present or the % coverage of each species
• Example calculations- The number of daisies in an area of 1000m is to be estimated. The sample is 100 quadrants of with sides that measure 0.5M. 220 daisies are counted. Calculate the number of daisies in the area

  Area of each quadrants = 0.5m x 0.5m = 0.25m squared

  100 quadrants because total area= 100 x 0.25m squared is 25m squared

  220 daisies in 25m squared is the total number of daisies 1000 divide 25 times 220 = 8800 daises
• The capture recapture technique

  1. Capture a number of individual of one species
  2. Mark the captured individual
  3. Release back into the same area
  4. After a suitable period of time, recapture more individuals of the same species
  5. Count the number of marked individuals
  6. Estimate the total population by using $https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=$i&url=$https$AOvVaw3JQtRnIcX65qpciUaRRcDG&ust=1714320657567000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=$0CBAQjRxqFwoTCOiW26Hk4oUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE$

  
• Equation

  N= total population size estimate

  M=total number of animals initially captured and marked

  C=total number of animals captured the second time

  R=total numbers of marked animals recaptured the second tme
• Accurate results for capture and recapture technique are obtained when:

  • Adequate time between first and second samplings
  • No significant movement of the population into or out of the area during the time between samples
  • Marking method does not adversely affect animal survival
  • Marks do not rub off
  • Few births or deaths in the population
• Example calculation- The number of snails in an area is to be estimated. 75 snails are captured marked and released. 3 days later a sample of 60 snails are captured, 25 of which are marked. Calculate the total number of snails in the area

  75 times 60 divide 25 equals to 180 snails
• What is Biological Control?

  When new organisms often described as alien species is deliberately introduced into a ecosystem to control a pest or pathogen
• An alien species- Problem associated with the introduction of alien species

  • Populations may grow out of control if they do not have a natural predator
  • They may outcompete or prey on existing species
  • They may carry new disease that could infect existing species
• What do we need to do before introducing Alien species

  Detailed research and trials must be carried out before introducing into the area